NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, American actor, born; A Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated, Tony Award-winning American actor known for his roles as the teenage doctor Doogie Howser, the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother and as a parody of himself in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle and its sequel Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

In 2006, after a report about Harris’ romantic relationship with actor Burtka surfaced on Canada.com, Harris’ publicist issued a denial, stating that the actor “is not of that persuasion.” However, a day later Harris, who had long been openly Gay in his personal life and in the theater community, came out to the media in People Magazine.

His statement read: “The public eye has always been kind to me, and until recently I have been able to live a pretty normal life. Now it seems there is speculation and interest in my private life and relationships. So, rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content Gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love.”

Harris has gone on to dazzle the stage and television audiences of the world, hosting the Tony Awards in 2009, 2011, 2012, and giving a show-stopping performance opening the 2013 Tony Award Show. He stepped down from the role in 2014 because he was nominated for his lead role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which he won. Harris is married to actor and chef, David Burtka. He and Burtka are parents to fraternal twins Gideon Scott, a boy, and Harper Grace, a girl, born in 2010.